Thing 20: Libraries and Social Networks

I took a look at a couple library pages in MySpace.

The library MySpace pages I visited were geared for teens. The pages featured links to library databases (patron account required) or catalog searches. Blogs served as a way to distribute/share information about library events, latest books, and so on.

I'm having a hard time thinking of how my library could use MySpace. I guess I'm struggling to see how MySpace has any benefit to an organization, other than as a marketing tool. There is value in that, I suppose, but a library webpage could do the same things as what I've seen on MySpace. The only MySpace advantage is the social networking. ("Hmmm... My friend Spot has a friend called LibrariansRock. I'll check out their page.")

Last question was: If you created your own MySpace page, how do you plan to use it? Well, I used to have a MySpace page, but I canceled it. I liked using MySpace to see what my friends were up to, but I didn't feel interesting enough to add much to my own page.

I'm starting to feel realy old. I swear I do like computers and new technology even if my blog posts don't sound that way!